The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has organized a two-day training programme for Management, Directors, and Heads of Units of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) Ondo.

Speaking on a topic entitled “Overview of the Public Procurement Act 2007”, the Head of Training Unit at the BPP, Mr. Lanre Obasa described procurement as a serious business which encompasses a sequence of related activities which begins with the assessment of needs, award and management of contracts, and final payment for jobs executed.

While stressing the need for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) established by the Federal Government to get acquainted with information contained in the Public Procurement Act 2007, Obasa said this was necessary because Nigeria cannot take the back seat in the comity of nations in the application of the Public Procurement Act, which is now accepted globally by developed and developing countries alike.

He enlightened participants on various topics contained in the Procurement Act 2007 which include functions and powers of the BPP, scope of application of the Act, fundamental principles of procurement, responsibility of Accounting Officers, overview of the Public Procurement process as well as what constitutes offences and sanctions that would be meted out to offenders.

While emphasizing the need for heads of MDAs to always be conscious of their responsibility as accounting officers, the head of BPP Training Unit advised them to exercise total control and supervision of all procurement activities undertaken in their establishments.

He stressed the importance of unity and cooperation stating that the procurement process, which could be likened to a chain, required the performance of series of activities by different sets of people, hence anyone who failed to carry out the role assigned to him or her could be sanctioned.

The BPP official emphasized the need for the establishment of Procurement Planning Committee (PPC) and Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) stating that their services are needed during the pre-bid, bidding and post bid stages. He also underscored the need for openness and transparency during the process of bidding and Tender Opening.

Obasa, however, warned officers in charge of procurement not to indulge in any unethical act that could affect their career. Such acts include collusive agreement, procurement fraud, splitting of tender amount, bid rigging, alteration of procurement documents as well as the use of fake documents and willful refusal to allow BPP officers have access to any procurement records.

Also in his presentation, the Head of Procurement at the BPP, Mr. Aliyu E. Aliyu spoke on the need for all MDAs to have a Procurement Office as well as Procurement Planning Committee (PPC) in their establishments.

As prerequisite qualifications, Aliyu said such officers must be familiar with and have adequate knowledge of procurement materials and associated skills in order to enhance effective discharge of their responsibilities.

Speaking on the topic: “Understanding the Use of Standard Bidding Documents (SBD) and Stand Request for Proposal (SReP)”, the BPP head of e-procurement highlighted areas of coverage of the SBD to include procurement of works, small works, goods and national shopping.

On Complaints Procedure and Administrative Review under the Public Procurement Act, 2007, Aliyu stated that it is only bidders that took part in a procurement process that can seek administrative review of their complaints. He highlighted steps that could be taken in matters relating to administrative review and period required for any action to be taken.

The BPP senior official advised procurement officers and heads of MDAs to always act within the ambit of the law in order to achieve favourable results from the procurement process.

In addition, he also admonished them to abstain from acts that are unlawful and unacceptable, ensure that bid losers are debriefed, make effective use of SDB and SRFP, and define qualifying criteria among others.

In his remarks, the Provost of the College, Prof. Olukoya Ogen lauded the BPP for organising the training which he said was necessary to keep the staff of the institution abreast with the vision of the Federal Government.

He stated that his administration has always been acting within the rules and regulations specified in the Public Procurement Act 2007 and has always exhibited transparency in all its dealings.

The Provost reiterated the readiness of the College Management to cooperate with the BPP in its efforts at ensuring transparency in the conduct of government activities in the country.